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Office of Medical Student Education

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Our Admissions Process

Prospective medical students at every level (high school, college undergraduate, postbaccalaureate applicants) should utilize the AAMC website, which offers excellent practical advice that can be utilized to help create a competitive application. In addition to a strong academic record, applicants are expected to be involved in medical and non-medical experiences. Both significant volunteer service and research experience enhance an application. The decision to spend time as a volunteer or doing research is an individual one, but these experiences are part of the foundation of a successful application. Applicants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the demands of a medical career. For this reason, direct-patient contact experience, one-on-one caregiving within a healthcare setting, is of critical importance to your application.

The Admissions Process Checklist:

  1. Academic preparation, excellent grades and take your MCAT
  2. Gather your letters of recommendation
  3. Complete and submit your application
  4. Schedule your interview if you are selected
  5. Final Decision

Step One: Academic Preparation – GPA and MCAT

The Admissions Requirements section of our website has specific information about the academic characteristics of UNC SOM students.

Step Two: Gather your letters of recommendation (LOR)

You should begin requesting your letters of recommendation in early spring, so that your letters are received by August 31st. This will give your professors, advisors, and mentors enough time to compose and submit their letters. LORs from faculty and organizations must be on their letterhead and signed. Until your required letters are sent to AMCAS, your applicant profile will not be considered complete. Three letters are required, and you may provide two optional letters, for a total of five. If you institution offers a Pre-Health Committee letter which compiles individual letters/comments, this Committee letter can count as your three required letters. All letters are to be submitted through the AMCAS Letter Service. Please remember to designate the UNC School of Medicine as one of your letter recipients.

As you consider who to ask for a letter of recommendation, keep in mind that the purpose of these letters is to shed light on your character and ability. Letters are most helpful if the writer knows you well and has taught you in a classroom setting or had direct exposure to you in a patient care/service/research setting. If you choose to submit more than three letters, the deadline for additional letters is October 1st.

For applicants who graduated from college three or more years ago, or are currently completing an advanced degree program:

We require three (3) letters of recommendation from mentors who have interacted with you in an academic setting and know you well. You should have at least one letter from your post-grad education and/or major work experience.

Step Three: Complete and submit an application.

Applications are available online through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) or by calling 202-828-0600. Do not forget to indicate on your AMCAS application when you are taking the MCAT.

Our AMCAS application submission deadline is October 1st.

Supplemental Applications

All applicants will receive a supplemental application after we receive a verified AMCAS application. Keep in mind that the process for receiving a supplemental application is an automated process, regardless of your academic record and MCAT scores. The deadline to submit your completed supplemental application will be identified in the email invitation. Please note, if you have not received a supplemental application, you may need to check your spam and junk folders. It is important that you take into consideration the admissions policies, requirements, and criteria we have indicated on our website to ensure that your academic credentials meet our criteria. The non-refundable supplemental application fee is $68.

Updates to AMCAS and or Supplemental Applications

We do not accept updates to your AMCAS or Supplemental application post-submission (e.g. new experience, job, letter of intent, etc.). The only exception is if someone from the Office of Admissions has requested an update.

Step Four: Schedule your interview, if selected

If you are selected to be interviewed, the Interview Coordinator will contact you via email with instructions to schedule your interview. Interviews will be conducted between September and February. Read more about what to expect on interview day. If you are ill and not able to make it to your scheduled virtual interview, please notify us at 919-962-8331.

Step Five: Receive your final decision

Our goal is to give your application thorough consideration, then let you know the outcome as quickly as possible. If you are traveling at any time during the interview season, it is your responsibility to contact the admissions office (via email admissions@med.unc.edu) and provide us with a reliable way to contact you.

After your interview, the Admissions Committee will meet to review and discuss your application. Applications are under continuous review, which allows for admissions to be made throughout the interview season until the class is filled.

All final decision notifications, including acceptance, wait list, and unsuccessful application, will be sent to applicants by early April.

North Carolina Residency

The UNC policy for determination of in-state status for students can be found at https://registrar.unc.edu/residency/. Another helpful resource is the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS), which can be accessed at https://www.ncresidency.org/. The purpose of the RDS process is to determine a student’s eligibility for the in-state tuition rate only; the RDS eligibility decision will not impact your designation of being an in-state applicant for the admissions process if the determination is “non-resident” for tuition purposes. If you are accepted, it is necessary to complete residency determination on this site in order to establish eligibility for in-state tuition and maximize your eligibility for financial aid.